Any Suggestions???

I am a 27 year old mother of 2 (a three year old and a 6 month old. I want to take the practical nursing class at my local vocational center. The dilemma I have is that the class starts in August and is a full year course. I now work full time and make about $13/hr and pay $580/mo. in daycare expense.

My husband has a GREAT job and makes good money. He is for me going to school but he takes care of our finances and says that right now we just cannot afford it. I know that there are grants out there but the ones that I have seen so far (which isn't many) say that you have to be enrolled in the program before you are eligible. I have to know that I will be able to get the money before I enroll. I will have to quit my full-time job and will still need to send my children to daycare. My husband says that I need to wait until the kids are in school (which remember, will be at least 2 more years for my three year old and 5 for my youngest).

I am really ready to get my career underway but feel like I am unable to do so because we are so accustom to having my income. I have heard that you can receive grant money that will help you also pay for daycare expenses while you go to school. I will welcome any suggestions as to what to do and where to start applying for grants. ANY SUGGESTIONS are welcome.

Also, anyone who has taken the LPN class who can offer some insight as to what I am getting into is greatly appreciated. I am not sure what field I want to get into yet so any suggestions there will be welcomed also. Thank You!!!

Haven't been through this one, but have seen plenty of other folks go through it. Here are some thoughts.

Talk to you intended school and know what it takes to get into their program both financially and academically. Some people find it takes pre-requisites. Concentrate on just taking nursing pre-req's prior to application such as A & P or chem, which you can do at some juco as an evening class. This will not lighten your present load, but it starts to get you ready for school and the cost, though not free, is in little bites. It also gives you information about how your family will cope with you in school.

Sit down with your husband and ask what it would take to facilitate you going to school. Your lost income is no laughing matter. Also look at whether becoming an LPN will replace your income of $13/hr (will you make more, the same or less than that?) Are their bills you can work on whittling down? Credit card, financed items like a car or furniture. Going to school has financial consequences for families.

Have some over-all conversations with your partner about his willingness to support you in LPN school. Check out these boards: the needs of people in LPN and RN school are financial and emotional and they are less available to their families time and emotion wise. I am not trying to discourage you from your effort, but I have seen people drop out of nursing school because their partner was not really supportive of the sacrifices that needed to be made for nursing school. Again non-supportive does not equal bad person. It's a choice and just because you have decided that NOW is the time to bring your life-long dream to fruition doesn't mean that your husband got bitten by the same bug.

Take some time, talk to the school. Really strive to understand your husband's position. Believe it or not you are relatively young and waiting 5 years until your kids are a little older hardly prices you out of the market. At the same time, in nursing school you would likely meet students with young children or even those that are pregant all the way up to grandma's. Nurses as a group are "older". {Avg age of a nurse in america is 44-45 years old). Good luck. Read these boards and you will hear from folks who are completing or have completed nursing school under all sorts of adverse circumstances. At the same time, we don't hear from those who dropped from each and every one our classes, sometimes for concerns similar to the ones your family is facing.

Take time to make the decision and get lots of info.

Feb 23, '01

Hi, I completely agree... cover all your bases and think everything through. I went back to school to get my associates and it wasn't easy, but thank goodness I had a supportive husband and wonderful friends and relatives to help me out. I had people lined up to take care of my kids and we bit the bullet on the finances... spagetti and hot dogs for a while But I went part time, it took a little longer but I was available for my family and it wasn't so much of a financial strain. I am not sure what lpns are making in your area but you should really look at that... it may not be more than 13/hr. Good Luck to you.

Feb 23, '01

I agree with all the above plus why go to an LPN program...is there no RN programs near by? I agree the income you will make is almost equal as an RN starting $13-$15 per hour as a new grad(be sure to check in your area)it has alot to do with job availability, room for advancement etc. You will definitely need to do your homework on this. Also do you currently work mon-fri? how about how much does it cost you to work? like clothing/daycare/car-gas etc/food ???maybe you can sit down with hubby and figure out if you go to school eves/weekend plans, you could afford it. Bottom line as others mentioned if your not working as a team the up hill battle feels like your dragging a bolder besides.As for money to go have you checked out sources for backing as groups(women's business groups/community groups/surf the net????www.Freescholarships.com/books at the library that help you "find" money )how about hospitals in your area? some will give tuition for a work commitment like 18mos in certain departments.